Anti-gun advocates cite NRA, law loopholes for rising violence in New Haven; residents told to speak out

Susan Misur, Register Staff

Published 12:00 am, Sunday, November 28, 2010

NEW HAVEN -- The National Rifle Association and rogue gun stores are two of the culprits causing gun violence to increase, the executive director for Connecticut Against Gun Violence said Saturday, adding that residents must speak up to -- or vote out -- officials to demand change and save lives.

Ron Pinciaro spoke to a group of about 40 people Saturday afternoon at a meeting about the work the group has done and how residents can help. In light of the city's 20 homicides so far this year, local residents said they were eager to prevent more bloodshed.

Activist Barbara Fair organized the event, held at the Courtland S. Wilson Library, and is planning another meeting at the Mitchell Branch Library Dec. 13.

There are more than 30,000 gun deaths each year in the United States, and while some states have passed various laws to prevent more violence, it's tougher to pass federal laws because of the NRA, according to Pinciaro.

"It's amazing to us there is not more being done on a national level to prevent this problem, and part of the reason is the NRA prevents a lot of things we'd like to do from happening. Their budget is 10 times ours," he said as he stood in front of a poster on which attendees had written names of those injured or killed by guns.

For example, a federal law hasn't been passed requiring background checks when guns are purchased at gun shows, he said. Connecticut and six other states have closed the loophole by insisting on background checks at shows and stores.

Pinciaro said Connecticut has the fifth-strongest gun laws in the nation, but some gun stores still sell to those they know can't have guns or those who purchase guns for those who can't.

That's why Connecticut Against Gun Violence has a campaign pushing law enforcement to trace the origins of guns found at on crime scenes.

Activist Sheldon Tucker commented that the person buying guns for others can report the weapons as stolen to avoid responsibility when the guns are found on a crime scene. "They (police) are only catching the guy who shoots. ... But you still have a guy flooding the city with guns and he's not even being touched," Tucker said.

Pinciaro advised residents to ask the Police Department every month which gun homicides have resulted in arrests and if the gun has been traced to its original owner. Locals must put pressure on elected officials to control gun violence.

"Believe me, that's what makes the difference. They don't believe you'll rise up and come together and vote, and that's why things don't change," Pinciaro said.

Residents and Pinciaro cited this summer's downtown shootings as an example of activism that got a response from the city. Merchants spoke up about gun violence downtown, and police patrols were increased in the area.

James Hanton lamented he can't yet vote and spur change because he's still on parole. Tucker and others at the meeting encouraged Hanton and those on parole to continue fighting gun violence and speak with friends and family who can vote about town officials' actions.